Like all things, prioritizing comes first. If the repair is essential to the safe operation of the vehicle, or its operation at all, you have to get it done. If money is tight, cut back on the little extras that drain away the dollars. Perhaps most importantly, build a relationship with a mechanic whom you can trust to give you a fair price and do a good Job.

We always like to get more than one diagnosis/estimate. We have heard different repair suggestions from separate mechanics. It also doesn't hurt to get an opinion of a friend or family member.

If you're like me and like to keep your vehicle long after it's paid for, then you'll want to be prepared for maintenance costs. It's nice to have a warranty, but then you also have a payment. However, when your vehicle is paid for, that payment goes away...then you have the responsibility of paying for repairs and maintenance yourself. I find it imperative to do 1 or more of the following:
1. Learn how to do the minimum maintenance on your vehicle (oil change, air filter, tire change, etc.); if possible learn more about larger repairs as well.
2. Find a local mechanic that you can trust and has a good reputation. This is generally found by word of mouth. Ask co-workers, friends, family, people at local stores, etc. Also look up customer reviews online.
3. SAVE!!! These issues may occur when you least suspect it. Put away a small amount in your savings, hide cash, have a "repair" account. Do this for each paycheck. It will add up.
I am finding out first hand the large costs of repairs right now. My vehicle broke down last week. I attempted to repair it myself and was mostly unsuccessful. There were other problems beyond my ability to repair. I knew of a reputable mechanic in the area, had it towed there, and the problem is being resolved. It's costing my about $1,000 and I'm not happy, but it was more than I could have done on my own.
I hope this helps someone.

Keel the oil changed regilarly and routine maintenance.

Marry a mechanic! Even if he doesn't do the actual big repairs to our own vehicles, he sure knows how to diagnose the specific problem and eliminate wasteful spending.

I have the problem of not knowing anything at all about fixing cars. When a shop tells me I need something done and gives an estimate and then a second shop has another opinion and estimate, I have no idea who to go with or even what they are talking about. It helps to know someone who is a mechanic or at least very knowledgeable about cars who can take a look at it for me so that I know I am paying for necessary repairs.

We try to save a portion of our tax return every year for car and other emergencies to get us through the year. We don't use that money for anything but emergencies. You have to pretend the money doesn't exist otherwise it can easily be spent.

Despite best efforts at preventative care, sometimes things just happen on trips. I took my car in for an oil change and inspection before a trip recently. Had some repairs suggested and done before leaving.

While on this trip I have a tire shred and replaced with a new one, again asking that all tires be checked. Next day, same thing happens...this time replaces all three remaining tires.

Unexpected financial expense to the trip, but unavoidable.

Regular maintenance is a must and planning for those expensive big items helps to ease the angst.

Preventive maintenance is always the key. Check your tires often for wear and air. Changing oil on schedule is always recommended. Finding a garage that you trust is also important. I always check my car over before and after having work done and lock up valuables. In the past I would have air caps missing, caps on the wheel missing...I know some of these are small things but they are all there for a reason. Oh and get second estimate on repairs.

Find a mechanic that will let you purchase your own parts, they are out there. Ask around. Ask mechanics at a local shop if they do side work, most do. You can't do this in all repair situations, but 95% of the time the repair is not urgent, leaving you time to shop for parts.

For example, my mechanic lets me buy my own parts. I recently replaced the belts on my car. I bought top grade on Amazon for $50.00, The retail on them was $120.00 at the dealer. My mechanic charged me $30.00 to put them on. So the total tab was 80.00.

If you go to a dealer, or even small repair shop, you pay the going posted hourly labor rate PLUS a huge markup on parts. They get you coming and going. The same job at the dealer would of likely been $175.00.

Keeping up on scheduled maintenance is key, but sometimes things happen.

I like to put 10-20 dollars per paycheck in the "car" envelope, and forget about it. When the big repair issue comes up, I will usually have between 100-500 dollars in there. Even having 100.00 set aside really helps blunt the impact of a big repair job.

With such a low income on S.S. and medical co-pays, l have no choice but to fix the car as it has to last me the rest of my life.....its 14 yrs. old, so l use my visa card to keep it running.

Regular maintenance, saving, a steady relationship with a reputable privately-owned shop, and buying your own parts. All great advice, which my husband and I follow. But another way to lower the bill is to barter. What could you do for the shop owner? Do you own something that you can exchange for services?

As a female, I would recommend NOT going to a repair shop alone (if possible) Bring a male friend with you who knows something about cars.Also as others have stated find a regular mechanic who knows your car. Lastly, there is always the junkyard for inexpensive parts.

I drive an older (1995) vehicle, and having a repair shop you can really trust is key. I have one right here in Land O Lakes that I have been dealing with for years and they have never steered me wrong, nor tried to upsell me anything I didn't need: All Tune and Lube on US 41. Bob and Guy are both straight shooters and I trust them implicitly.

All my male friends get together to on the vehicles.Then the ladies of the house get ready a bunch of food and we have a big barbeque

I get regular routine oil changes and checks, and when something needs repair, I find out if it is urgent or if it can wait till it fits into my budget. Right now, I have a repair that isn't urgent but would definately get done if I had the $100!

I tend to take care of my care pretty well...its my wife that forgets...so I have to do all of these things for her.

Honestly, back in the day when engines were simple things,
I just had my head under the hood every blessed day.
Now, I rely on my husband to do so
(bless his heart, he keeps all the fluids checked, tire pressure checked and usually keeps gas in it too).
When we do need a mechanic we know we can rely on the integrity of the guys at Master Mechanics over on Grand Boulevard. Happily, we rarely see them.

Do it yourself! There are plenty of YouTube videos explaining how to do most basic care care!

WIth today's modern rolling computers, small and local mechanics do not have the sophisticated computers the big dealers offer to diagnose problems. The cost of this equipment is far beyond the reach of your local shop.

Code reading equipment that most small mechanics have often does not give details needed to fix and repair the problem. A general trouble code provided by many of these cheaper devices can cover many different parts.

Problems on new cars can be extremely tricky to diagnose. Often mechanics resort to part swapping. They keep selling you parts with the hope that one of them will fix it.

Often, by the time it's said and done you could of just gone to the dealer. Sometimes you end up there anyway.

When I have had unusual or stubborn problems, I go to the dealer, pay for the diagnostic, then use my own mechanic.

Even with the extra diagnostic fee it is still cheaper than the dealer repair and with the computer report I am sure of what is wrong and exactly what needs to be done.

Nothing beats preventative maintenance! But should something happen we always go to our local Tires Plus, where we have formed a good relationship with the manager. He always tries to give us the best deal possible. We also usually have coupons for there, and, best of all, they send us periodic loyalty gift cards!

I find that learning the sounds of your car so if something sounds out of wack you can get it to a garage - one that you have developed a relationship with and be able to describe the noise.

Make friends with a mechanic! When you find a shop and/or professional who is reliable and educated about your vehicle, bring in some thank you treats for the whole shop such as home-baked goodies or a round of iced tea/coffee. Showing a little extra appreciation can help you form a relationship which always pays off long term.

Always get a second opinion unless you have found that trustworthy repair shop....AutoZone has free computer analysis. We went to a place on 34th St that implies that they are experts in a/c and they didn't even do the standard test that a second place did.....luckily, we got a second opinion and saved $1000

We have a friend/mechanic that we trust implicitly. If there's something he can't do, he'll send us to someone he trusts to do it. We keep our vehicles maintained...preventative maintenance is how you keep your maintenance bills down. Don't put off anything. Also, I always look things up on the internet, read car repair blogs and forums and give myself a heads up on what a possibility could be on a needed repair. It pays to be informed. We also do the smaller jobs ourselves.

If I don't know how to fix minor home repairs, I search on diy network for how-to videos. I find it alot easier than reading instructions. I have a stand-by handyman just in case that I have known for many years and trust in my home.

Buy a Manual for your specific car it usually tells you everything you need to know and when to get professional help , save at least 10 percent of your weekly wages . Always pay yourself first and you will always be prepared for most emergencies.

First off finding a good mechanic is KEY, to make sure you arent getting up-charged for something you dont really need. Regular maintenance is also important to keep the car running well and hopefully prevent any major issues. Since my car is now paid off, I take around half of what my payment used to be and set it aside for things like new tires or wear and tear problems that are bound to happen since I plan on keeping my car for a long time

Keep up with oil changes, it's easy to forget. Also check tire air pressure! Under inflated tires can make a HUGE difference on not only wear and tear but also in gas mileage!

Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. Preferably at the same (reliable!) garage each time. If you stay consistent it will give your mechanic the ability to "know" your car. If you routinely bring your vehicle to those dime a dozen quick lube type places, you won't be doing yourself any favors. Find a good mechanic and get all your work done there, loyalty will bring you a lot of good things.

Making sure to do needed maintenance helps prevent uneeded issues.. plus for all but major work I have a mechanic living in the house.. the hubby! Limits out of pocket to cost of parts and a good dinner!

Being unemployed for 2+years in NJ, my unemployment benefits ran out so I am getting no income except foodstamps (never been this broke in my life). I have been a good person always and I have such great friends that know me and when I ask to borrow, they know I will repay it. Being the best person you can goes a long way. I have no $ for gas and a second interview for a job tomorrow. If it does not pan out, I will go to FL where some of my great friends live and I will be one of them.

I know someone else just said this.. but marry a mechanic. We get our repairs half the price. But getting fixed by your husband who is a mechanic is like pulling teeth. but its worth it. yes it is great to be friends with your mechanic they can always do side job but just dont take them for granted and dont make them mad. I know this because i am married to a mechanic.

regular preventative maintenance for your car is essential. it's inevitable that all cars will have their problems, but with regular filter and fluid checks and changes you can hopefully avoid the big problems later on down the road or at least offset them for some time. A good relationship with a mechanic does help, but it is also a good thing to do your own homework a little but and know a few key things about your vehicle. It takes only minutes to Google car symptoms and learn a thing or two you might not have thought of beforehand.

I've always been a troubleshooting type of person. I like to try to figure out why or what and then figure out the how. I've been lucky to know some very handy "mechanic-like" friends that has had tools and a helping hand, but I like to try to fix things myself. There's nothing that an owners manual, YouTube and the right tools can't fix... Except lifting the engine or transmission.
So yes, in conclusion....
I attempt to fix things myself with the help of the Internet to save money in the long run.

Joyette
Although the odo is approaching 185K I would not part with my vehicle. No problems. Oil changes every 3000 miles, rotate the tires every 6000 miles, follow the owner's manual for other general maintenance. I write down the mileage each time and REALLY keep track it. Coolant flush every five years on my car. It is also important to find a shop you can trust and really get to know your car and learn some basic mechanics yourself so you know if what they are telling you sounds "off the wall" or not. ALWAYS get a second opinion if someone tells you anything major is needed or maybe even a third opinion and get written estimates. You should never, never have to pay for a written estimate from a legitimate shop. Ask up front if they write free estimates; call on the phone and ask questions before you go in and get the name of the person your spoke with. Ask to speak with the manager if something doesn't sound "legit". Use name brand gas in your car, not "mystery gas" and use the octane the mfg of your car recommends. Many credit cards offer cents off per gallon. This means you will be paying about the same as "mystery gas" and it is so much better for your engine. Once you find a shop you really trust, stick with them and build a rapport. Many places accept competitors coupons also. Purchase a lifetime alignment contract for your car with a reputable shop (with a coupon if possible). Use it after each tire rotation. Good luck everyone!

Cell phone apps are useful for programming preventive maintenance car for your car. They are useful for scheduling and reminding you of routine care such as oil changes, and the likes.

There are many great tips but the most important tip to save money is: Drive at a consistent speed. What this means is don't push the pedal to the metal. Start accelerating slowly from a traffic light and no more than 5 miles an hour over any speed limit. Not only will you save hundreds of dollars a year on gas but you won't get any speeding tickets...

It always seems that auto repairs are needed when $$ are low. So, you have to deplete your funds. Make regular tune ups and oil changes. If possible save $$ for repairs or other unexpected financial needs.

Well, after almost 60 years of driving, working on my own cars, and spending too much money on repairs, I use a bicycle when ever possible. My most used bike is an old Raleigh Sport with a rack and shopping bag panniers that suffice for most runs to the grocery store etc. I also have a newer, 1984 version "City Bike" that hauls a trailer. I can stuff about 50 lbs. on the trailer. in hilly areas; probably alot more on the flat. Use your car only when absolutely required. You will save money, improve your health, and help the environment. It is a Win, Win, Win.

The number 1 best thing to do is spend $20 online and buy an ODBC handheld scanner. Every modern car has a plug under the dash, like under the steering wheel area, that looks sort-of like a computer connector. You can plug one of the scanners into it and read the reason for the engine light or other error conditions.

Basically a car is a computer on wheels these days, so you are shooting blind on trouble shootoing and repair without a ODBC scanner. You can Google the code you get and find advice on every problem, usually specific to your model and year.

I also bought a more expensive ODBC scanner that also can stay plugged in an it records dozens of engine parameters, for download to a PC later. Great for finding conditions that only happen at speed, only once in awhile, etc.

The repair guys use these are often charge you $60 or more to do the same thing you can do.

Most comments are about the back end of automobile repairs. More important is avoiding the repairs in the first place. There are two principles that will prevent or allay the need for repairs. Here they are: "The Click and Clack Catechism:" Avoid fast starts, fast stops, and fast turns. Those three things save tires, shocks, brakes, struts, and many more parts. Most people believe that brakes only last for 40,000 miles, but in reality, they can last over 100,000 miles through this means. It lengthens the life of a car overall by, among other things, reducing the probability of an accident (a real drain on the budget--repairs, covering the deductible, attendant repairs after the fact, increase in premiums). The corollary to this catechism is "hypermiling" (go on-line and find articles about it). Among other things, it specifies that drivers not accellerate over 2,000 r. p. m.'s in any gear and coast to red lights. The principles of hypermiling go beyond the catechism so that drivers will get the most of a gallon of gas. If drivers use these principles while driving they will spend less time and money at both the gas pump and the repair shop.

Bob Lee's will change your oil with a synthetic blend and rotate your tires for $21 with the coupon in the SPT.

Ask Dad.

If you have a local shop you trust ask them to provide Technical Service Bulletin information for your vehicle and to advise you of their experience with your vehicle type. This can help you plan and budget for future repairs. A quality shop will rotate your tires, check your A/C and do a basic inspection of your vehicle when you have your oil changed. If they find something wrong or wearing; ask to see it and what you should look for if it starts to deteriorate further. If you have a trusted mechanic it is likely that they want whats best for you and your car, do not be hesitant to communicate your concerns and ask questions. Happy Trails!

When you car gives maintenance signal, have it checked and find out what is the error code then Google it on line. What other people say about the same problem. Many times what mechanics suggest is not necessary. The cause might be a small repair instead of changing the whole component whatever the repair might be. I recently had an engine check signal. I had it checked by my mechanic and the error code was the Catalyst. The cost of changing the whole converter is $450.00. I googled the error code and saw that many people had the same problem. Some of them suggest that using non ethanol gas would just solve the problem. And I did the same thing. The signal turned off. Some other people had the Catalyst Converter changed but they still had the problem.

I couldn't imagine anything worse than automobile problems to ruin my summer. It can become such a pain. Thanks for sharing this. I got lots of great ideas and deals from all the answers. Not only is car maintenance important. But also <a href="http://www.usaservicesfl.com/roadway-asset-maintenance/">roadway asset maintenance florida</a>. Making sure the roads are safe is just as important!